Tuesday 29 March 2011

The Alpha and the Omega – 300 posts, stroke, bowel cancer, alzheimers ..


Carbis Bay Hotel

Sounds a little dramatic doesn’t it – Alpha and Omega – the words just tie a few things up, open the doors to new beginnings ... this is my 300th post – my Omega; the A – Z Challenge will be my Alpha ... an infinite number of posts ahead .. starting with a mere 26 in April.

The alphabet of stories, poems, ideas, creative thought – all 600+ of us participating in the A – Z Challenge .. I shall be posting the ABCs of the British Countryside – highlighting areas of our landscape we take for granted.



Whoever thought just over two years ago I’d still be here writing and being involved in this enormous creative blogging world – such an eye opener to many a mere mortal.  The story of life played out by and to each of us as we blog, read, comment and connect along our journey’s paths.  Thank you to you all ...


Elizabeth was a great gardener

It’s a real all sorts mix of a melting pot – we glean, we learn, we travel, we photograph, we cook and we write and importantly, I think, we become aware of things that perhaps might not hit us if we were not internet connected.  So this post is a celebration by me of my 300th  article... a few things I’ve learned and would like you to be aware of too, and some happy times ...



The acronym F A S T – saved a young girl’s life .. her class mates recognised the symptoms and reacted .... the brain does heal ... (to an extent) but never forget this aspect .. certainly this has happened with my mother, though she will never ‘recover’ – as this youngster had the chance to because of her friends’ immediate reaction to dial 999.

Fast Stroke Test:  ... F A S T - react to these symptoms:
  • FACE - Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
  • ARMS - Can they raise both arms and keep them there?
  • SPEECH - Is their speech slurred?
  • TIME - call the ambulance .. if you see any single one of these signs
Alzheimers – the Nursing centre, where my mother lives, have opened the ground floor to Alzheimer patients; at the opening the Director for Dementia came down and left some copies of his book: “And Still the Music Plays” – stories of people with Dementia – by Graham Stokes.



Doris, who blogs with us – I love that phrase!, at her blog ““Hold My Hand” A Social Worker’s blog” where she tells stories of her experiences, much as Dr Stokes does above ... they are just great ways to learn.


Alzheimer’s can strike early in life too ... Dr Stokes’ first story is about a 41 year old woman ... she coped, however her husband and sons were not aware of her struggles ...

Autism – perhaps you’ve seen the TED talk by Temple Grandin .. an amazing woman, who despite Autism .. in fact because of it .. has this amazing (out of this world) capacity for visual thinking ...  a fascinating way to understand someone who thinks in a series of photo-realistic images = picture perfect .. and who can only do this because she is autistic.

Googling – brings up the Wikipedia entry:  the 2010 film is a biopic on Temple Grandin, as a woman with autism, who revolutionised the practices for the humane handling of livestock.

Lastly and sadly Bowel Cancer ... can strike very quickly and is one of the most painful cancers, so I understand.  My mother’s best friend and ex manager of her Care Home had not been feeling well .. she was cheerful and looking forward, despite the probable prognosis.  Sadly she was in such pain, she went into hospital and never came out .. it was only a few hours .. and she was relatively young – 73.

I have been drip feeding my mother with the information that Elizabeth is ill – as I thought the shock of her death needed to be tempered by the knowledge that she was seriously ill first – as my mother cannot easily express emotion after her strokes .. because of the shock & when you are confined to bed with no other resources than your own brain ... these sorts of notifications need to be carefully handled – if there’s a possibility to do so.

Gorse flowers
The funeral was wonderful and this week I will tell my mother about it – and speak-paint her the pictures of Cornwall in Spring, the new Crematorium – Cornish granite, wonderful wood – including a beautiful polished cross, set in the gorse covered, tree cowed countryside that is Cornwall.

It was so good to meet Elizabeth’s family and old friends from the Care Home days ... the day was glorious with blue sunny skies; the Reception was held in the Carbis Bay Hotel, who were kind enough to allow me to use their photos here.  The weather was very kind giving us magnificent views across St Ives Bay.


In tempering the news re Elizabeth and her funeral I can include the sunny day, being able to meet the family and share our appreciation of her, as has also been expressed by our relatives too – as my great uncle and his wife were cared for by Elizabeth and my mother in their last days.


We used to stay in Carbis Bay at a Bed and Breakfast, while my grandmother owned a house on the hill down to the hotel – where we had often played as kids ... so it brought back many memories of those days ... my first swim/paddle .. the chugging local line train, stopping at the beachfront – but high on a viaduct, which linked St Ives to the main line.  It was strange driving down to the hotel – but what a view ... a day of mixed emotions.

I then had the great privilege of having another visit to my 94 year old ‘aunt’ near St Austell .. with glorious food – courtesy this time of Marks and Spencer:  just to whet your appetite –

+ King Prawn and Avocado salad, with pasta and a creamy lemon dressing
+ Herb crusted Scottish Trout fillets stuffed with a Crab and Red Pepper mousse
+ Raspberry jelly with fresh raspberries, and Cornish clotted cream
... washed down with grape and berry juice

You cannot really go wrong with this meal .. it was delicious and met with total approval!!

This is a sad time .. however my mother is as pragmatic as always – saying that bowel cancer is horrible, and thinking back to other people she had cared for, who had died of this disease.  So I think I did the right thing in ‘delaying’ the telling ...

Alpha and Omega .. 300 posts an end, a new beginning; life begins and ends .. beware it can happen suddenly and be aware it can drift in .... keep and remember the positives ...

Thank you so much for your continued support – new times ahead ...


Alpha ‘Arlee Bird’ Challenge .. the ABCs of the A – Z Challenge start Friday – April Fool’s day .. now that’s a thought ... but 700+ participants is not ... amazing .. congratulations to you all and especially to the organisers:


Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out (who created the challenge)
Jeffrey Beesler at World of the Scribe
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Jen Daiker at Unedited
Candace Gangers at The Misadventures In Candyland
Karen J Gowen at Coming Down the Mountain
Talli Roland

Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs

The Carbis Bay Hotel were kind enough to allow me to use their photos - there are some incredible panoramic views on their website: Carbis Bay Hotel ... please have a visit ...


Dear Mr Postman .. we go on – when my mother is awake .. she is just so with it .. other times she dozes, or sleeps and seems reasonably content – the main thing in my life.

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories


49 comments:

Betsy Wuebker said...

Amen, Hilary. A lovely post that reminds us of the great continuum. Beautiful photos of the hotel and thank you for the daffodils, too. Spring is here and life begins anew.

Theresa Milstein said...

This is a very educational blog. They all are, but the subject matter makes it seem more so.

My uncle had stroke symptoms once when hiking in the woods. They did "FAST" and brought him to the hospital. Must've been heatstroke, luckily.

Love the pretty flowers. Crocuses are popping up here... finally!

Liara Covert said...

Easy to lose count of how often you blog when you are having fun. Look for yourself or you only ever believe what others tell you. Writing is a journey. Love sharing revelations that unfold as you explore interests and progressively let go of everything that is not you.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Good luck on your A-Z adventure. You will do great and bring wonderful stories.

Tracy said...

I am so glad that you commented on my site so that I could find yours! As you said, the blogging connections can be meaningful. I just lost my mother to a terrible, rare form of dimentia called dimential with lewy bodies. The morning of her funeral, a family friend was at the hospital giving birth. The ultimate testimate to the Alpha and Omega.

We all go through sad times and it is important to know that we are not alone. My family has experienced so much tragedy in the past few months, and it has brought us closer together and tested our resolve, courage, and faith. I admire you for being such a huge support to those who need you right now. May strength be with you!

Karen Lange said...

Congratulations on 300 posts! What a milestone. Sounds like a great way to head into the A to Z Challenge. :)

So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Endings are so much a part of life but can be challenging too. Will pray that you have the comfort and strength for the days ahead.

Blessings for your week. As always, thanks for sharing.
Karen

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Thank you Betsy .. you are right - the word 'continuum' is a good one - the hotel is in a fantastic setting and the owners (friends of Elizabeth's) have done wonders with it.

Elizabeth was a great gardener - she'd planted 450 bulbs in the gardens .. so the grounds were always a riot of well-maintained colour and design. Thank goodness for Spring eventually arriving!

@Theresa .. thank you so much. I'm so pleased to hear your uncle recovered .. and it was a mini blip ...

Crocuses are just so pretty - ours are still around .. but not for long - glad yours have arrived.

@Liara .. exactly - writing is a journey and I enjoy it so much .. just lots is in my head where it stays - I'd love to get it out: I will ... everything seems to interest me - thereby hangs the challenge!

@Teresa .. it's so good to see you .. thank you re the A - Z .. not so much stories, but historical aspects ...

@ Tracy .. - excellent you've come over - thank you! I know I'd spotted you'd just lost your mother - and I feel for you .. especially as I am her age. As you say - the new family birth to celebrate her life.

Yes - I've had sad times but like you we've laughed a lot .. and I'm so pleased your family is so together - your father will need it especially as he has shown such resilience and care during his wife's last years.

Thank you for your support - this is where the blogging community excels - picking up the vibes, and just being connected. Great seeing you here ..

@Karen - thank you! I've been slowly building towards this day .. whereas I rushed at first. The next 300 will start with an ABC bang challenge .. but will be fun!

It is sad - because it was all so quick .. and I don't think any of us can quite believe it. It's providing that love and care for my mother - that's important in this situation.

Thanks Karen .. lovely to see you ..

Cheers everyone and thanks for coming by .. Hilary

Joanne said...

Isn't it amazing how blogging just takes on its own life and becomes more than we thought it might? With all that gleaning, learning, travelling, photographing, cooking and writing, what a window on the world this little internet thing has become ... Here's to many more posts on your continuing journey ... Cheers :)

Tony Payne said...

Love the blog, sorry about your sad news though.

I am also in the A - Z Challenge, looking forward to seeing all the postings as well. I guess we need the Sundays to try and catch up on reading!

We got married last April and spent a week in Cornwall on honeymoon. Shortly after Debbie started to go downhill, but it was only after an MRI in early January that we found out she had a Brain Tumour.

Fortunately they were able to remove it and it was benign, and so a year later we are just really beginning to enjoy married life together.

Bossy Betty said...

It's always hard to give that kind of news to anyone, but I know this must have been especially difficult.

Lots to think about with your post. I am tempted by the A-Z challenge, but have not taken the plunge.

TALON said...

I think you handled the sad news about Elizabeth's illness and passing beautifully for your mother, Hilary.

The hotel is lovely. And I've never seen Gorse flowers - they're like clumps of sunshine!

We're still waiting for the snow to re-vanish and spring to really get going here.

Ellie Garratt said...

I'm so sorry to read about the loss of your friend. Big hugs.

Talli Roland said...

What a wonderful looking hotel, Hilary.

And such a fantastic idea for the A-Z! There are so many things about Britain that I don't know -- I'm looking forward to your posts!

Arlee Bird said...

Thank you for the kind credit and congratulations on the 300th post--which in your case is quite monumental considering the length of your typical post and the amount of research that must go into each one.

Sad about Elizabeth's death. Cancer is a cruel killer. This enemy has entered my own family of late as my brother-in-law is having to deal with his own battle. It's sad, but all too common.

Lee
Tossing It Out
Twitter hashtag: #atozchallenge

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Joanne .. thanks for picking up all the connections .. but there are so many more things I know now - since I've been blogging.

Many thanks - I suspect there's a few more to follow .. Cheers to you too!

@ Tony .. thank you! Looking at your bio - we could have a lot in common. Gosh you've had challenging times too - especially newly married - but so pleased it is all turning around. May you thoroughly enjoy the years ahead.

Cornwall is great isn't it .. and a change from East Anglia ..

I'm coming over to say hi to you and Debbie .. cheers Hilary

@ Bossy Betty .. thank you - it was extremely difficult as Mum went to the hospital for a 'routine' visit the next day .. so I didn't want to do it then - just in case.

It seems to have worked out - and our superb 'healer/therapist' supports me all the way - so she and Mum sent butterflies to Elizabeth today ..

Do do the A - Z challenge .. it'll be a roller coaster ride .. but amazing to be a part of .. see you there as a fully pledged signatory?! Cheers Hilary

@Talon - many thanks ... as you see in my answer to Bossy Betty above - timing has not been easy. At least now at the end of the week I'll be able to regale Mum with some of the positives.

The hotel sure is gorgeous and their site has some wonderful photos on it - they were kind enough to send me some of their photos. Gorse is beautiful - prickly though!!

I gather there was more snow .. it will go soon I'm sure - then SPRING ... yay .. cheers Hilary

@ Ellie .. thank you - it was a big shock ... especially having to cope with my Mama .. work the plan of action out. Big hugs were needed ...

@ Talli - the hotel is glorious - it's where Virginia Woolf stayed with Godrevy lighthouse across St Ives Bay .. and probably where the idea for "To the Lighthouse" came from ..

We had the most glorious sunny, clear day .. and the views of the sea were aquamarine .. we were very lucky wit the February weather .. bright sunshine to see her off.

Ah .. it's going to be the ABCs of the British landscape .. not Britain .. still I can do that later on .. Cheers for now ...

Cheers everyone - here's to the A - Z Challenge .. it's a-coming ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Arlee .. thanks so much .. the pleasure is ours re the A - Z Challenge .. or we're all in for a ducking?!

Many thanks re my posts - I enjoy doing them .. and my head has many more - it's there to here, that seems to be the effort!

I'm sorry for you and the family .. and more particularly your brother-in-law and his family .. my thoughts go out to them and the extended family - never an easy time.

Friday and on for 30 days of the alphabet for 26 .. will be fun - thanks so much for encouraging us all to join .. Hilary

Empty Nest Insider said...

Sorry about your loss. I'm also saddened about what your mother's going through. She is so fortunate to have you in her life. Julie

Deborah Ann said...

Happy 'A' day!

Stroke symptoms...I worried myself the other day. I was talking to my husband, and all of a sudden my words came out as gibberish! Whew, got scared for a minute there.

Fun read here, as usual!

klahanie said...

Greetings Hilary,
Wow, you cover a great amount in yet another, fact-filled and thoughtful posting. And the A-Z Challenge sounds intriguing, or in my case, would be most daunting.
Being involved with the great blogging community and all this interaction, is indeed profound and inspiring. The way you formulate your postings makes for an interesting and varied read. I thank you for that.
My goodness, 300 posts in just over two years. That's very impressive.
Cheers and kind wishes, your way, Gary :)

Jannie Funster said...

Funerals CAN be lovely, yes. A time to celebrate the living, and reassess priorities.

41, so young for Alzheimers yes. Good education to know that tho. Bowel cancer so painful.

600+ on the A-to Z, wow, what a crew! Sounds like fun, tho. Enjoy.

xoxoxo

Julie Musil said...

I wish you and all the other A-Z participants good luck. It'll be fun to see what you all come up with. Have fun!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Hilary -

Congrats on 300 posts! I'm glad we met. :)

Your tender handling of your mother's feelings touched me. For someone confined to bed, news of a friend's death can hit extremely hard.

Blessings,
Susan

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Julie .. thank you so much for coming back and commenting - yes - it must be very difficult for my mother .. but she has been and still is amazing through it. I've been lucky in that respect .. and we can talk.

@ Deborah Ann - thank you .. perhaps I should have had 'A' for anniversary .. but something else coming up ..

I'd have been worried too .. just glad you're ok. Good to see you here.

@ Gary .. many thanks - I do seem to want to talk about rather a lot of things?! .. so tying them together makes sense: however - your confirmation that the way I formulate my posts makes them interesting and an alternative read for you (and others) is good to know.

Delighted to see you here .. and yes .. the A - Z will be 'fun' .. almost a marathon I suspect!

@ Jannie .. Elizabeth's sons and families were in shock - as were we .. but having a glorious day did make me bless someone for letting the sun shine.

Also having the wake in the area where my grandmother lived and we had many holidays .. brought home how beautiful it is there .. usually it's packed with holidaymakers & to be avoided at all costs!

41 for Alzheimers, 17 for strokes .. disease can strike at any time - we just need to remember and mentally be prepared (somewhat).

I know - I think the A - Z challenge is over 775 now!?!? Good talking point .. and as you say crew .. fun too .. I'll do my best to BB hop around .. H xoxox

@ Julie .. thank you - yes I viewed from afar last year .. I think I'm going to have fun .. I am I know!

@ Susan .. that's very kind of you .. I just turn my thoughts as to the way my mother is (not good grammar!) and then do what I think is best for her .. fortunately it seems to work.

Thanks so much Susan - appreciate your thoughts ...

Many thanks everyone .. lovely having you here sharing my world .. Hilary

Paula RC said...

Wow 300 posting. Thank you for sharing such wonderful posting with us all, Hilary

Sorry to hear about your dear friend and to share in your lost. To have such a lovely day when the friends and family gather together I always feel is so much better than having a overcast or rain day, which can add to the sadness of the day.

Wishing you and your mother much peace and happiess.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Jamara .. many thanks - they start adding up!

Yes - it was a huge shock .. but thank goodness for the superb day - if it was today .. all gloom and damp -it'd have been miserable as well as very sad.

Your coincidences of meetings and tying various family events together seemed extraordinary ..

Lovely having your thoughts re my Ma .. thank you - cheers

Sara said...

Hilary -- I am so impressed -- 300 posts!! Wow. That's something to celebrate.

This post was well written,as usual, but also a bumpy ride with the ups and downs you mentioned. Life is like that.

Good luck with the A to Z challenge. I know you will succeed:~)

Patricia said...

I so enjoyed reading this post today Hilary - Thank you for sharing. The challenge sounds impressive or maybe the best of foolishness?

We had a 90th birthday party for my mum and folks came from all over and wrote poems and sang songs and told stories. When she was thinking about planning her service she said do everything from the birthday party because it was just what I wanted - a celebration!

Memorial Services can be very uplifting and a grand experience. I have just been to two which were full of elegance and whimsy - catching all the joys of lives well lived.

Lovely pictures too Thank you

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Sara .. I have to say I never thought I'd get this far .. but am loving it!

Many thanks .. just occasionally I like to remind everyone of other aspects of life & sadly Elizabeth's death brought these thoughts together - as you say life is like that.

Thanks for the 'break a leg' thought! It'll be fine .. and will have fun - that's there's no doubt ..

@ Patricia .. great to hear that. No, no, no .. of course not - just a huge dose of fun .. what work - never?! It has rapidly become impressive - that's for sure ..

Brilliant thought .. perhaps when the time comes .. I'll do that for both Elizabeth and my mother .. because funerals always come too soon .. - excellent thought ..

Memorial service .. as above - lots of thoughts there .. such a great idea .. so good to hear about ..

Delighted you enjoyed the photos ..

Cheers to you both - lovely having you here .. Hilary

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Bravo on 300 posts, Hilary. I love your stories and could easily listen to you all day long. My MIL turns 95 in 2 weeks. I'm still stuck by her words when it comes to aging. "Life is grand, but being old isn't much fun."

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Joylene .. many thanks! Gosh that's really an honour to read and 'hear' .. I'd probably happily chatter away too .. interspersed with some great inputs from yourself .. it certainly isn't just me ..

Your mother-in-law sounds amazing .. but the funny thing is my mother may think that .. but she never says it and is constantly saying she's amazed at life .. the brain is a staggering organ ..

So good to get your comment .. Hilary

Southpaw said...

I’m sorry for your loss.
-
Congratulation on 300 posts!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Hilary. 300 posts? Congrats on reaching this milestone!

Thank you for sharing the signs to watch for when someone is having a stroke. Time is very important in getting the help needed.

Hold my hand: a social worker's blog said...

Dear Hilary,
Congrats on your 300th post!!!! wow, that's amazing, you are a smart cookie!!!

Sorry to hear about your friend's passing. Although I am so familiar with death, and I learned to see it as part of a natural process, it still hits me sometimes. I had a resident's grandson in my office today, sobbing, telling me how sad he was at learning that his grandpa is at the end of life. I tried to give him some support, but I truly felt so helpless when observing tears rolling down his face.

Thanks for your kind comment about my stories. I didn't know about Dr Stoke's book. I will check it out.

Looking forward to reading your A to Z posts!!

(((( hugs to you and your mom ))))

Doris

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Holly .. many thanks Elizabeth was a wonderful person. I know - 300 .. it seems such an amazing figure!

@ Susanne - it doesn't feel like a milestone ..it's just the numbers tick over and click 300 appears.

I think these reminders once in a while are so useful read once in a while .. watch for the warning signs within one's own family.

@ Doris ... thank you - smart cookie = I like that term!!

You write amazing posts - that's why I'm so pleased you're doing the A - Z Challenge,

Poor child .. we don't seem to talk or learn about death or the process until it 'hits' us personally .. somehow some form of education is required ... be it reading your blog in class, or reading Dr Stokes' book, (both short stories)

or books on different aspects .. such as the 'Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time' - which took off as an excellent read despite being about autism .. and there are various others .. such as the 'Diving Bell and the Butterfly' - the French editor of Elle magazine, who had a massive stroke .. and left him with locked-in-syndrome.

It's such a brilliant way to learn and learn more ..

thanks Doris .. yours I will definitely be reading and learning from .. thank you for the hugs to my Mama .. she'll be so grateful.

Many thanks Holly, Susanne and Doris .. have a lovely day .. cheers Hilary

Anonymous said...

Lots of lovely information peppered with lovely pics.
Thank you Hilary.

I wish there was more done for Alzheimer's.:O)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Madeleine .. great to see you .. lovely phrase .. peppering the photos around!

Alzheimer's just sometimes isn't recognised .. as in the 41 year old's case .. we just never know what is going to strike us .. and we can't second guess. My mother I know never expected to be bedridden for 4+ years .. the most important thing is to be aware of the possibilities and then be ready to care when necessary.

Thanks for coming by .. cheers Hilary

Glynis Peters said...

FAST is such a good idea. I was a Staff nurse on a stroke unit, and saw young folk suffer. Shame for anyone. You managed your mother's friend situation well. It is better than a shock.

Alzheimer's has taken my father's mind. He is in a care home by the sea.My maternal grandmother died from it, so I have genes on both sides. Often worry if it will be my downfall. :(

Thank you for brightening the day with your pics. Oh, how I miss M&S food.

vered said...

It's wonderful that you are so gentle with your mom.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Vered .. really very many thanks - that's a lovely comment and much appreciated .. it's wonderful having blogging friends who understand.

Always lovely seeing you here .. cheers Hilary

Monica said...

Love your blog...brought back a lot of memories for me. I'm an RN and worked for over 10 years on an Alzheimers Unit...some of the happiest days of my career! Found you from the A-Z Challenge, it sounds like it’s going to be so much fun and I can’t wait to get started!! I’m now following your blog on GFC and I hope you have a chance to check out my blog and maybe follow me back!!
Monica
http://oldermommystillyummy.blogspot.com/

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Glynis .. you're right .. F.A.S.T. certainly has helped a number of people .. and obviously those who are younger. I needed you a few years ago?! I know I was surprised at the age range in the ward ..

Alzheimer's .. is a very difficult situation to deal with - for the patient, but especially for the family .. my mother thought she might get Alzheimer's - but no ...

Don't worry .. as long as your hubby and children know what the signs are .. and keep an eye out - at least they'll be there to look after you .. it's that knowledge of the warning signs, as well as the ongoing or after care ..

Oh - I can bet you miss M & S food .. our meal was delicious! Much appreciated by my aunt .. Glad the photos brought a smile ..

Thanks - Glynis .. always good to see you ... cheers Hilary

@ Monica - hi there! .. thanks so much - delighted to read your comment. It'll be fun to connect a bit more after the crazy A - Z challenge of April is over!! It'll be fun though ..

Interesting you worked in an Alzheimers' unit .. and your days were happy - that's so good to know.

Cheers - talk more anon I hope .. enjoy the month ahead .. Hilary

Short Poems said...

A lovely post, Hilary
Beautiful photos of the hotel and thank you for the lovely daffodils :)

Have a great weekend ahead!
Hugs
Marinela

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Marinela .. good to see you - the hotel is amazing - with wonderful views - glad you enjoyed the tour with the daffodils .. you too have a great weekend .. mine I suspect is very busy?! Cheers Hilary

Chase March said...

Congratulations on reaching 300 posts!

The A to Z challenge sounds great. I'd love to participate it in but I'm doing Script Frenzy next month and that will surely sap my time.

I wish you and your family all the best and will be here to support you with the next 300 posts!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Chase .. many thanks .. Script Frenzy .. anything with frenzy in .. is a little hairy scary .. hope it all goes well ..

I look forward to being around and good to have your support .. cheers for now .. better get my first post up?! ... Hilary

The Myasthenia Kid said...

Hi Hilary,

Thank you a wonderful and informative post.

My grandmother died from bowel cancer aged just 61, over 20 years ago. Unfortunately then there wasn't the internet or the media focus on illnesses like there is now.

Thank you for highlighting these conditions.

Rach

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Rachel .. many thanks .. it's good to remember. I am sorry to hear your grandmother died that young .. each decade we seem to learn more about some diseases, or work of ways to help people live with the problem.

The more we learn, we can help the next generation .. I hope - with thoughts .. Hilary

Stacey said...

Hello dear Hilary!

Thank you for sharing your challenges and triumphs with us! You offered a lovely tribute to Elizabeth and an absolutely mouth-watering menu! And congratulations on 300 blog posts!! Big love to you! Stacey

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hiya Stacey with the Cornish name (Curnow) .. when I eventually got my act into gear the post came together ..

It's telling a story .. reminding people re 'disease' as well as the good times ..

.. let alone the 1200- 1300 participants in the A - Z challenge during April - finished today .. cheers and big hugs Hilary ..